We recently purchased a Holland Lop from a breeder who was using Penpal food. Is this a quality rabbit food? He is an indoor pet rabbit and I heard he should have less than 16% protein in his diet. Please let me know your feeding regime. I do give him Timothy hay everyday...the only treat he gets is a smidget of a banana once daily (a tiny little slice cut in half). Just want a healthy bunny. Also, if you have any input on how to handle our 1 year-old lab who wants to eat the bunny. Our friends have a bun and a lab who get along great...no such luck here...any advice?
Concerning PenPal...yes, it is a quality food. 16% protein is a proper diet for a rabbit, however, a \"pet only\" bunny can get by on 12% protein. One way to achieve this is to offer good grass or Timothy hay free-choice, but only offer a limited amount of pellets once a day.
You didn\'t say what breed or cross your rabbit is. The amount you feed is directly related to the size of your pet. If this is a dwarf-type rabbit, I would limit the pellets to about 2 oz/day. A medium breed would get 3.75 oz/day. Bear in mind, this is a pet rabbit amount and you are keeping hay in front of the rabbit at all times. Rabbits that are being shown, bred, etc., would need a bit more.
Concerning the dog...If after strict supervision, you can\'t calm the pup down, I\'d recommend keeping the two separated. Better for the bunny and your nerves.
Good luck.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
Thumper7..just some advice on the dog/rabbit problem. Labs and such sporting dogs are bred to retrieve and sniff out small game. Most sport dogs should not be given any type of squeaky toy as they will incorporate that in all play time -be the toy fake or a real bunny.
We raise Springer Spaniels and, unfortunately, I do not see a happy medium for them to cohabitat. In fact, my springer killed my best mixed buck. I was devastated to say the least, but I can not punish her for her bred instincts. The rabbit was loose and fair game.
Some animals just don\'t mind other species and some just want to eat everything in their path. It is up to you to keep the rabbit safe from the dog if you know its a threat. You can try a slow and steady training with the dog and rabbit and yourself but I still would not trust the dog alone -ever. Good Luck!
Thanks for the tips...I\'m pretty confident that our lab will never be able to be trusted with the bunny even while we are supervising him. He is a very gentle lab...with humans...but a hunter he will always be! My worst fear is that one day one of the kids will accidentally let the bunny out when our dog is around or vice versa. I guess that\'s all part of having more than one kind of pet in a house. The kids are under strict instructions regarding bunny/dog interactions however they are kids...
Thanks again for the tips
Your welcome...coming from a house with 2 cats, 13 dogs, 9 rabbits, 100 chickens.....sometimes it isn\'t easy. May I suggest putting a lock on the cage so only Mommy can open it...that way no little fingers will be tempted!
Our Jack russell wants too eat the bunnys too,He is never allowed too play with the bunnies.maybe we need dog whisperer.bluebird
Oh, JRT\'s are norotious for eating little squeaky furry things! LOL Poor bunnies -no playtime with doggy!
I need more than a whisperer for my stubborn girl -I need a whack\'er in the header! LOL
Hi! Okay, I KNOW your situation! I an confused on my rabbits nutrition and my black lab tried to eat my rabbit the day it got home! Ok, IIm still trying to figure out nutriton (books help A LOT!) Now for the dog, put the rabbit in the cage and let the dog in with the rabbit IN A CAGE monitor the encounter they should get used to each other eventualy. Just do this for 5 mins a day every day but MONITOR IT! Even when they seem setteled don\'t let them in together!
As long as your bunny is not overweight, he\'s healthy. My doe is also just a pet rabbit and she gets pellets all day. it will take her about a day and a half to eat one bowl of pellets. She is in good health and I let her out to run around for a few hours in the evening. We also have a jack russell who killed one of my baby does (she was only about a month old). Someone had left the back door open and he got in. We also have a Collie and all she does is \"mother\" the rabbits. she is sooo good with them as she has had puppies and has such a strong maternal instinct. With your buck\'s diet, give him apple and carrots as an alternative - some bunnies adore tea, so maybe that could fill him up a bit too.